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13 Actors You Didn't Realize Are Retired From Acting

Acting isn’t the “glamorous profession” that people think it is. In reality, it’s a difficult profession. Each year, there are a number of actors who stepped away from the silver screen. For some, it might be after a long time of dedication, that they want to stop acting to explore something new. For others, Hollywood is a truly competitive place where only talented and passionate actors can thrive. All in all, being an actor is a valuable experience, and they all treasure their time in Hollywood even after they left.

#1. Mara Wilson

Retired From Acting, Mara WilsonSource: Amy Sussman / Getty Images

Mara Wilson rose to fame when she acted in two of the most popular family films of the early ‘90s, Mrs. Doubtfire and Miracle on 34th Street. Despite reaching the pinnacle of fame well before she became a teenager, she decided to step away from Hollywood. She wanted to focus on writing instead of chasing her career as an actress. Nowadays, Wison works as a writer and director and she is happy with her new life and new jobs.

#2. Daniel Day-Lewis

Retired From Acting, Daniel Day-LewisSource: Dave M. Benett / Getty Images

Daniel Day-Lewis is one of the most talented actors of our time. He is the only actor to win the Oscar for Best Actor three times. In spite of many incredible achievements in Hollywood, he decided to quit acting in 2017. Unlike most of his peers, he didn’t feel comfortable in front of the public eye. In addition, the movie industry has changed a lot, leaving less room for characters that Lewis tends to favor. Therefore, he retired and spent time with his family. He is also keen on shoemaking and woodworking. These interests led him to Italy, where he became an apprentice shoemaker.

#3. Cameron Diaz

Retired From Acting, Cameron DiazSource: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images

Cameron Diaz is a well-known American former actress and model. She was one of the best-known faces in Hollywood in the 1990s and 2000s but in 2014, she decided to walk away from the movie industry. She wanted to spend her time with her family and took care of her child. The pressure of being famous made her feel exhausted and retirement seemed to be a good decision. Now she had more time for herself and her family.

#4. Gwyneth Paltrow

Retired From Acting, Gwyneth PaltrowSource: Theo Wargo / WireImage / Getty Images

Gwyneth Paltrow started her acting career in the early ‘90s and she received an Oscar in 1996 for her role in the film: Shakespeare In Love. Recently, Paltrow decided to step away from acting and focused on being an entrepreneur. When asked if she would come back to Hollywood, Paltrow shared: “Literally never. When I was acting, I really burned myself out.”

#5. Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen

Retired From Acting, Mary-Kate & Ashley OlsenSource: Angela Weiss / AFP via Getty Images

The Olsen twins started acting at only six months old in the iconic series Full House. They went on to act in numerous series and were well-known for their talents. However, at the peak of their popularity, the twins decided to step away from acting. They explained that since they had been involved in the business at a very young age, they had always vỉewd themselves more as businesswomen than actresses. In the future, the twins want to keep building their brand and expand it.

#6. Portia de Rossi

Retired From Acting, Portia de RossiSource: Rich Fury / Getty Images

Portia de Rossi was the household name from the late 1990s and early 2010s. She had acted in many famous series such as Ally McBeal, Arrested Development, Scandal, etc. She was also one of the first openly gay women in Hollywood with her wife of more than a decade, talk show host Ellen DeGeneres. In recent years, she has confirmed her intention to give up acting. She wants to take up something more challenging and difficult in the coming years.

#7. Meg Ryan

Retired From Acting, Meg RyanSource: Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty Images

Meg Ryan is an American actress. She began her acting career in 1981 and became especially beloved for her roles in romantic comedies. But around the start of the 2010s, she began appearing in movies less often. In 2019, Ryan shared that she wasn’t passionate about acting anymore. She would like to do more work behind the camera like producing and directing.

#8. Taylor Momsen

Retired From Acting, Taylor MomsenSource: Jc Olivera / Getty Images for iHeartRadio

Taylor Momsen got her acting breakthrough in 2000. She also played the role of bad girl in the hit TV show Gossip Girl. At the age of 18, Momsen announced her retirement to focus on music. She had found her passion for playing music and thought it would be the best thing in the world.

#9. Jennette McCurdy

Retired From Acting, Jennette McCurdySource: Steve Granitz / WireImage / Getty Images

McCurdy was known for her singing and songwriting abilities. She was also the famous host of the show iCarly. Although the show was a roaring success and made a few new child stars, McCurdy has decided to retire from showbiz. Deep inside, she was unhappy with everything going on. Her mom was the driving force behind McCurdy getting into acting but the death of her mom led her to desperation. Since then, she began pursuing a career in writing and directing.

#10. Peter Ostrum

Retired From Acting, Peter OstrumSource: Silver Screen Collection / Getty Images

Do you know the name of the actor who played Charlie in the 1971’s Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory? Yes, it’s Peter Ostrum. Despite starring in a movie that is still popular more than 50 years after its release, Ostrum decided to step away from Hollywood. He shared that acting wasn’t a glamorous profession as people thought it was. Now, he enjoyed working as a vet in the countryside.

#11. Angus T. Jones

Retired From Acting, Angus T. JonesSource: Desiree Stone / Getty Images

Angus T. Jones is an American former actor. He is best known for playing Jacke Harper in the CBS sitcom Two and a Half Men. At the height of his success, he đecided to quit acting to pursue a vastly different path. After stepping out of the limelight, Jones attended the University of Colorado at Boulder in an environmental studies program. In 2016, he got a job as the president of Entertainment at Tonite.

#12. Kay Panabaker

Retired From Acting, Kay PanabakerSource: Steve Granitz / WireImage / Getty Images

Kay Panabaker is best known for her role in the television series Summerland. At the age of 32, she announces her retirement from acting. She said that for her, being an actress wasn’t fun anymore. She wants to work in other creative fields that she is better at.
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